Improvement in shoe-clasps



J. C.- HAMMOND, J12, & T. E. KING. SHOE-CLASP.

Patented June 12. 1877..

N.PE|'ER8, PHGTD-IJTHDdiAFMER, WASHINGTON, B. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JOSEPH O. HAMMOND, JR., AND THEODORE E. KING, OF ROOKVILLE, CONN.

IIMBROVEZMENT m SHOE-CLASPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 191,758, dated June 12, 1877; application filed 1 March 12, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, JOSEPH O.HAMM0ND, J r., and THEODORE E. KING, of Rockville, in the county of Tolland and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Pertaining to a Shoe-Clasp, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, where- Figure l is a top view of an overshoe hearing the clasp closed. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the clasp closed. Fig. 3 is a top view of the clasp unclosed. Fig. 4 is an edge view of the clasp unclosed.

The invention relates to an improved clasp for securing overshoes and other shoes, and the like; and it consists in a hook or tongue hinged to a spring, which latter is attached by a base-plate to the shoe, the said hook having a fall-back curve located at the rear or back of the pivotal joint thereof, in which fall.- back rests the loop to unite the other part (as the quarter) of the shoe with the hook or tongue, the said tongue being also provided with a lever end to aid in keeping it closed.

Referring to the drawings, 0 designates a metal plate, adapted to be secured to the shoesay, to one of the quarters. To one end of this plate is attached a strip, a, of spring metal, having one end free, and rising from plate 0. To the free end of this spring a is jointed, pivoted, or otherwise hinged a tongue or hook, b. The rear portion of this tongue is curved to form a loop or fall-back,.b, which extends rearwardly or beyond'the pivotal point of the tongue. b is a tail-piece or lever end, forming part of the tongue, likewise in the rear of the pivot of said tongue. 01 is a loop, secured to the opposite part or quarter of the shoe.

The operation is as follows: The tongue b is raised, as shown, and the loop 01 made to engage therewith then by hearing down upon the tongue the loop slips back into the fallback 11 and the strain brought upon the clasp serves to cause the loop to exert its tendency to lock or firmly hold the tongue down upon the spring. The lever end b also acts to the same end, as it has to be overcome before the tongue can rise and release the loop. The fall back and the lever end both being in the rear of the tongues pivot, the saxd pivot thereby is made to receive the strain of the loop, and its tendency to open the clasp is thereby overcome.

What we claim is 1. The clasp described, having the tongue b, pivoted to spring a, provided with the fallback b and the lever end b arranged in the rear of the pivotal point of the tongue.

2. The combination of the tongue b, pivoted to spring a, having the fall-back b and lever end I) in the rear of its pivot, with the bearing-spring a and base-plate c, substantially as described.

JOS. O. HAMMOND, JR. THEODORE E. KING.

Witnesses:

KATIE E. BILL, BENEZET H. BILL. 

